When I was growing up, the American front porch was a part of the house that belonged to everyone. In essence, it was an outdoor living room for family and friends to pass the time- a place where advice was garnered, jokes were told, songs were sung, and stories were spun. The front porch represented the cultural ideals of family and community. At night and on rainy days, my brothers, sisters, Scott, Bruce, Mark, Darf, and other childhood friends would gather on our front porch to listen to my mother tell stories. Me, my family, and friends were the characters in many of the stories. No matter the challenge, the children on William Street always came out on top. Now as I reflect back, it is apparent to me that I learned some of the most important lessons in life on my front porch. My mom shared the gifts of understanding that things aren't always what they first seem to be, friendships are made over time, we were all born with special gifts to share, when you give to others you are giving to yourself, and life is about making choices for the better of all.
